2003 Ford E-450 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
38,270 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 18 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 22.2% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 16.7% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Tires: 3; Air Bags: 1; Equipment: 1; Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.: 1; Fuel System, Diesel: 1; Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 4; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10041695 · 2003-10-13 (October 13, 2003)
I HAVE A JAYCO MOTORHOME ON A FORD E450 CHASSIS, ORIGINAL. TIRES MICHELIN 225/75 WITH LOAD FACTOR E. MAX LOAD OF THE TIRES IS 9880LBS, MY ACTUAL REAR AXLE WEIGHT 9270 (STATIC AND MOTORHOME EMPTY WITH NO WATER, FUEL TANK 1/3 FULL) ACCORDING TO MICHELIN THAT IS ASKING FOR TIRE FAILURE ( HAD 2 ALREADY) BECAUSE THE DYNAMIC LOADS (GOING DOWN THE STREET, BUMPS - UPHILL - DOWNHILL- SIDELOADS) WILL BE OVER THE TIRE LIMIT. THAT'S THE REASON THE LAW REQUIRES PASS, CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS TO HAVE A 16% RESERVE CAPACITY; MINE IS DOWN TO ABOUT 2%. WITH FULL …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041695 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10293071 · 2009-11-20 (November 20, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-450 DIESEL BOX. WHEN DRIVING UPHILL THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND THEN STALL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER, BUT THE FAILURE RESURFACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED DE-LAMINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AWAITING REPAIRS . THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 43,400.
Owner-reported narrative. 43,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10293071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10314532 · 2010-02-26 (February 26, 2010)
FOLLOW THIS LINK: HTTP://STEVEWIENCEK.SMUGMUG.COM/PHOTOGRAPHY/FORD-FUEL-TANK/10976330_WP42T#774715040_3CEQC FOR A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT I AND OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THIS FUEL TANK. IT IS UNSAFE, DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. 1) LOSS OF POWER 2) OCCURRED EVERY 100 MILES OR LESS 3) COST WAS OVER $5000 TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FUEL LINES AND FUEL INJECTORS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 113,020 miles reported. Look up ODI 10314532 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10323741 · 2010-04-05 (April 5, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E450. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 45 MPH USING THE CRUISE CONTROL IN RAINY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ALSO A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD AND WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, THE PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE RETARDER WAS INOPERABLE. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. INITIALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS BUT DID SO WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. THE CONTACT BELIEVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 238,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10323741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10469547 · 2012-08-07 (August 7, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-450. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND MERGE TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SPINDLE HAD MELTED AND THE SHAFT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED, FLAMES WERE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10469547 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10888163 · 2016-07-25 (July 25, 2016)
WHEN SLEEPING IN MOTORHOME THE FRONT DRIVERS STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOT RUNNING. THE KEY WAS NOT EVEN IN THE IGNITION.
Owner-reported narrative. 36,540 miles reported. Look up ODI 10888163 at NHTSA ↗